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The passing of an esteemed author is always sad but I felt a special loss earlier this year upon hearing of the death of Sir John Mortimer. His Rumpole stories have brought me so much pleasure, and when I learned he was gone I wished I'd just sat down and written a good old-fashioned fan letter to let him know what enjoyment his work had brought. This is surely belated but nonetheless sincere when I say that, for me, Mortimer's Rumpole is a legendary English detective, deserving a place by Sherlock Holmes and Jeeves.
What a surprise to find A RUMPOLE CHRISTMAS, a collection of five Rumpole holiday stories now published in book form. We find the ever amusing, always insightful Horace Rumpole coming across all manner of skullduggery to relieve him of the usual yuletide tedium when he and his wife, Hilda, aka "She who must be obeyed" enjoy turkey, plum pudding and "a bottle or two of Pomeroy's Chateau Thames Embankment" following the exchange of a tie for him and a "ritual bottle of lavender water" for her.
For starters there's a rather shifty eyed although plump Santa at Equity Court's Christmas party. This is followed by "Rumpole's Slimmed Down Christmas," a story in which Hilda presents him with a surprise gift - reservations for a stay at Minchingham Hall, a health farm where the food leaves much to be desired. For supper the main and only course "was a small portion of steamed spinach and a little diced carrot, enough, perhaps, to satisfy a small rodent but quite inadequate for a human." On the bright side, there was what appeared to be a murder in a steam room.
And so it goes. As Hilda says crime does seem to follow Rumpole as does thoroughly enjoyable reading for us.
- Enjoy!
- Gail Cooke
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.This collection is a better ending to the series than John Mortimer's last novelette, Rumpole Misbehaves. These late period holiday tales are sometimes lightweight, but Horace and Hilda are in good form. Mortimer always was at his best in short stories, and these little pleasures show why.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.GeorginaBrooklyn
Posted February 22, 2010
Ah, Horace Rumpole~so good to see you again. Even though I've read some of the stories, reading them again was like a visit from a favorite uncle:always amusing and touching.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Not the absolute greatest Rumpole, but so glad there are a few more stories to read. I miss him and John Mortimer.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.fundeps
Posted February 6, 2010
Rumpole fans will enjoy these little gems. I just wish I had a fellow Rumpole fan to pass it on to. The DVD set of the TV series is also wonderful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 16, 2010
One of John Mortimer's gems.It is a great gift to give or receive
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Posted December 21, 2010
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Posted October 28, 2010
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Posted January 25, 2011
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Posted December 20, 2009
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Posted May 18, 2011
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Posted December 20, 2009
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Overview
"Rumpole is one of the immortals of mystery fiction."-San Francisco Chronicle
Of the late Sir John Mortimer's many beloved characters, it is widely agreed that Horace Rumpole was his greatest fictional creation. Here, collected in book form for the first time, are five delightful tales that capture the beleagured barrister at his grumpy, yet warm-hearted best.
Rumpole isn't particularly fond of Christmas Day-he finds it has a horrible habit of dragging on as She Who Must Be Obeyed leads him through the usual rituals. But at least the criminal ...